Learn more about notable changes to the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Program as a result of Act 44 of 2021, which was signed into law by the Governor on June 30, 2021.

The Pennsylvania Medical Society awarded grants to physicians and organizations in a new program that encourages innovation in health care. The eight winners were announced at the House of Delegates in Hershey.

There’s no question that expanding physicians’ capacity to respond to social determinants of health can benefit patients. But how can physicians have a greater impact when they’re already so strapped for time?

As a result of PAMED's strong advocacy on behalf of the state’s physicians and patients, we were successful in getting informed consent legislation across the finish line today as it was signed into law by the Governor and immediately takes effect.

Physician assistant (PA) legislation that would among other things abolish the countersignature requirement, discontinue medical board approval of PA agreements, and remove limitations on the number of PAs a physician could supervise passed the Senate on June 25, 2021.

"To break down these health care barriers, it is important for us as physicians to regularly engage in LGBTQ+ cultural competency and health care trainings, openly identify ourselves as LGBTQ+ competent and affirming so that patients can find us to access needed medical care, and be cognizant of the health care disparities and needs of LGBTQ+ populations to be able to provide high quality care," says PAMED member Tamar Carmel, MD.

The Pennsylvania Medical Society’s delegation to the American Medical Association (AMA) dedicated their time and expertise at the recent Special Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates to discuss important health care issues such as scope of practice, health plan practices, COVID-19, telemedicine, and diversity in medicine.

It’s been in the news a lot lately that opioid abuse has increased during the pandemic, especially in rural Pennsylvania. John Gallagher, MD, former PAMED Board Chair, shares his insights.

Due to PAMED's strong advocacy in Harrisburg, informed consent legislation crossed the finish line before summer recess as Gov. Wolf signed it into law as Act 61 on June 30, 2021.

The Pa. Superior Court found that the Fair Share Act is only implicated when the plaintiff’s comparative negligence is at issue. Prior to the Fair Share Act, when two or more parties were jointly and severally liable for a tortious act, each party was independently liable for the full extent of the injuries stemming from the tortious act no matter their proportion of liability.

The Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED) recently teamed up with its Care Centered Collaborative and Highmark to award nearly $4 million in Community Care Grants.

Find out what to do with medical records when a physician retires or passes away.

Gregory Bredow, MD, a psychiatrist at WellSpan Philhaven - New Freedom, has been named PAMED’s Everyday Hero for June 2021. He received the award at a virtual ceremony on June 17.

The Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee passed the CRNP independent practice bill (Senate Bill 25) out of committee by a vote of 12-2 on June 16, 2021.

PAMED, in conjunction with the AMA, filed a friend of the court brief with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in the case of Lageman v. Zepp. In this case, the plaintiff filed a complaint for medical negligence after she suffered a stroke while undergoing a medical procedure.

A federal court has ruled in favor of a Texas hospital’s COVID-19 vaccine requirement for its employees.

Did you receive provider relief funds? If so, you’ll want to be aware that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), recently released revised reporting requirements for recipients of Provider Relief Fund (PRF) payments.

Last week, the Pennsylvania General Assembly voted to end the COVID-19 disaster declaration that has been in place under Governor Tom Wolf. Learn more about what this means.

If you think health insurers aren’t making life and death decisions, think again. A policy change recently announced by United Healthcare will most certainly deter acutely ill patients from doing what is in their best interest…going to the emergency room.

The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) is seeking comments from physicians and other stakeholders on its workgroup’s Draft Standards for Continuing Certification. The public comment period is currently underway, and will end July 8, 2021.